Church Vitality

For the history behind the Beloved Community vision, how these Beloved Community principles were formed, and the vitality practices to live into these priciples, visit The Beloved Community page.

Church Vitality requires moving from maintaining established and set structures to creating communities that are growing and thriving. Vital churches are those that engage not only themselves, but make a difference in their surrounding community.

St. Luke’s, San Francisco, and Christ Church, Portola Valley, shared the same weekend for parish retreats at the Bishop’s Ranch. All programming, childcare, worship, and fun were shared thanks to collaboration and joint planning. Collaborative planning for a shared retreat led to friendships across congregations. Read more on DioCal News http://diocal.org/pcn/news/shared-retreat-magic (Photo by the Rev. Dana Corsello)

Holy Child and St. Martin invited the Daly City community to join them in the groundbreaking for their long-awaited elevator. The elevator has become even more of a necessity with the active health care ministry — housed in the lower level of the church — open to the neighborhood. The groundbreaking coincided with the yearly Health Fair where approximately 10 local health-related agencies provided information, blood pressure checks, and flu shots, together with the hospitality of snacks provided by the members. A fuller story is at http://diocal.org/pcn/news/elevator-groundbreaking-holy-child-and-st-martin-daly-city.

St. Timothy’s, Danville, is in transition between clergy, but that hasn’t stopped their communications group from exploring best practices. They meet regularly and are actively engaged in discernment about how best to evangelize their neighborhood and reach out to their community — in person and online.

The Communications Working Group regularly engages congregations’ vitality by consulting on websites, social media, and print media — in person or on the phone. Additionally, they offer coverage of events to share the stories of vitality with the broader diocese and Bay Area. The bishop’s staff members also empower congregational vitality by helping with transitions and offering trainings throughout the year. (Photo by the Rev. Stephen Hassett)